SEATTLE – Paul Abbott and Roger Clemens have a couple of things in common.

One, they’re both major league right-handed pitchers. Two … Wait a minute, there is no two. The pitching matchup for tonight’s ALCS Game 4 couldn’t be a greater study in contrasts. While Clemens is a five-time Cy Young winner building his Hall-of-Fame resume, Abbott is hoping to be known as something other than a 33-year-old journeyman.

A huge performance in Game 4 tonight will go a long way, especially since the Mariners find themselves down 2-1 in the series. While Clemens is used to the October stage, Abbott is stuck reliving his life story before and after every start these days.

“I’m waiting for the process to ditch the journeyman title,” Abbott said good-naturedly yesterday. “It’s been like that the last three years.”

Abbott made his major-league debut with Minnesota in 1990, going 0-5. He’s battled injuries practically ever since, with arm, shoulder and knee problems sidelining him at one point or another. He had right shoulder surgery in 1998 and returned at the end of that season, posting a 3-1 record over four starts for Seattle. In 1999, he had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and went on to have his best season ever. He was 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA working out of the bullpen and the rotation.

“What I do think about is the rehab,” Abbott said of his long journey. “Coming back from those injuries taught me a lot. I didn’t have the best work habits when I was younger. But definitely coming back from those made me stronger.”

His 9-7 mark this year doesn’t include any injuries or surgeries, but does include an effort against Boston where he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He began the year out of the bullpen. “He’s got the right equipment to pitch against the teams that we’re playing,” Seattle manager Lou Pinella said. “He’s got a good fastball and a good change-up.

“He’s been very consistent for us. He has had some great games, like the game up in Boston, and we expect him to go out there and pitch well tomorrow.”